At Hot Ground Gym®, we like to approach fitness training for kids from a variety of angles. For us, health is not about one single thing. True health, for both kids and adults, is about a variety of factors that include the body and the mind. We adopt a 5-dimensional concept™ or 5DC™ training methodology, which was developed by the founders of Hot Ground Gym®.

5DC™ embraces health and fitness from a multi-faceted perspective and includes revolutionary training methodology that consists of the five fundamental pillars: obstacle course fitness, teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, and discipline.

The weather is heating up and summer is basically here. This is the ideal time to tackle our 5DC™ methodology and get you and your family feeling healthy and happy. You can visit any of our three locations in Northbrook, Arlington Heights, or Vernon Hills to get started on your fitness training journey today.

With our 5DC™ approach in fitness training in mind, we want to dedicate this blog post to the last two pillars: critical thinking and discipline. These two pillars factor in the mind just as much as the body, and they are fundamental to being fully healthy. There are a variety of ways to incorporate critical thinking and discipline into the routines of our kids and family.

Instilling in our kids a love for learning, for instance, can begin them on a path toward healthy minds throughout their lives. Hot Ground Gym® in Northbrook, Arlington Heights, and Vernon Hills each offers fitness training through our Junior Boots™ program, which explicitly focuses on our five pillars.

Another practice that you can incorporate into your daily routine is known as mindfulness. In this 3-part series, we will first define what we may are even talking about with mindfulness. In the second part, we will take a look at some of the proven benefits of mindfulness practice. And in the final part, we will explore activities that you can use with your kids to help them practice mindfulness as well. With these tools in hand, you will be equipped to participate in a multi-faceted and well-rounded fitness training program with your kids and your family.

What is Mindfulness?

Perhaps you’ve heard the term “mindfulness” around town. It’s become a bit of a buzzword as of late, though many of us really don’t have a strong grasp as to its meaning. On the face of it, mindfulness appears to simply be a synonym for “paying attention.” Although this can capture a piece of mindfulness, it is definitely not the whole story.

Mindfulness involves paying attention, no doubt about it. But it’s also working toward being intentional about what you’re paying attention to. This is not always the easiest thing to do, as it seems to be the case for most of us, most of the time that our thoughts happen to us, rather than being intentionally focused by us.

A type of intentional focus on the nature of our thoughts is important, however, since, as stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius said, “the soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.”

More specifically, mindfulness can be thought of as non-judgmentally paying attention to the present moment. Again, for most of us, this will take great amounts of practice. Paying attention is one thing — but paying attention without harboring judgmental thoughts is an entirely different kind of animal.

Stay Tuned

In the next part of our series, we will look at the benefits of mindfulness for both adults and children. In the meantime, visit Hot Ground Gym® in Northbrook, Arlington Heights, and Vernon Hills to get to work on our 5DC™ training. Schedule today and get a free trial!

Strengthening The Future

Take on obstacles you have never seen before, challenge your mind, and push yourself to your limit by racing through a course packed with fun. Who will be the best? Make your party a competition or work together to get through obstacles, either way it is a test of your abilities! Our skilled instructors and creative design will keep all your guests engaged in your party, and they’ll be sure to remember it for years to come.

These are not regular camps, our camps' activities help today's generation reconnect with the outdoors and become more responsible, self-confident and self-reliant. It is a blend of growth with adventure and fun.

Junior Boots™ is more than just an after-school activity. Hot Ground Gym® has designed Junior Boots™ to be a comprehensive fitness and education program that implements five pillars. Obstacle Course Fitness, Leadership, Critical thinking, Teamwork, and Discipline.